Even when Chad Henne is solid in practice and preseason games, he usually gets an earful from head coach Tony Sparano. Sparano and his coaching staff have been in Henne’s ear each time he comes to the sideline, whether he just led a touchdown drive or threw an interception. This tough love though is key to keeping Henne grounded as a rookie in the NFL, and will likely shape him into a better QB when the day comes for him to ascend to the starting role.

Tough love and a cold shoulder are nothing new to Chad Henne. In his 4 years as the starter at Michigan, Henne was coached by the less than huggable Lloyd Carr. Carr wasn’t exactly known during his time at Michigan to be the loveable Father/Grandfather figure and demanded a lot of his players. Sparano and the new regime in Miami are very similar and so far Henne handles it just fine.

Case in point, during Thursday’s final preseason game, Henne was outstanding going 16-20 for 137 yards and a touchdown, solidifying the #2 QB position for the Dolphins this season. Despite a solid outing, each time Henne came to the sideline, Coach Sparano was in his ear.

Often times rookies enter the NFL and believe they are going to be the next big thing, take the league by storm. Half of these players fail to ever deliver and the majority of the rest show flashes of brilliance, but don’t deliver over the long run. For a QB that has already proven mentally strong enough to take it, a little more tough love won’t destroy the morale or determination of Henne. It can only serve to keep him grounded and prepare him for the day he ascends to the starting position and leads his franchise.